The Hindu Business Line : TVS' new spruced up twosome

CONSOLIDATION is the current theme at TVS Motor. In the intervening period — that is, before new models are rolled out — the company seems to be trying to refocus and offer potential customers more choice with the launch of new variants under the existing badges.

The new variants have been fine-tuned based on customer feedback. They will attempt to offer more value to the customer, even as competitors have been nibbling away at the company's market share.

The new variants are basically spruced up versions of bikes that have either been performing below expectations or attracting customers only in specific markets.

So, the obvious two to get the cosmetologist's treatment are the TVS Victor GX and the Star.

The 110cc Victor GX was not finding many takers from either the 100cc or the 125cc segments. Designed to attract the entry-level bike buyer interested in a bit more of power and style, the Victor GX (and for that matter the GLX) has not been able to stir up the same level of interest among potential customers that the original Victor had managed to do.

Now, TVS is replacing the Victor GX with the newly developed Victor Edge, and the principal change is the heart transplant. The old 110cc engine has been hauled out and a slightly tweaked version of the GLX's 125cc engine has been put in its place.

The new, fine-tuned 125cc engine delivers a higher 9.2 bhp of peak power against the 8.1 bhp that the earlier 110cc engine managed.

The extra power should give the Edge an advantage in the premium entry-level bikes category. However, TVS has not chosen to replace the four-speed gearbox with a five-speed shifter, a feature that more bikers in this segment want as part of the package.

The Victor Edge's engine performance has been aided by a roller cam follower for reducing friction losses, and this is expected to improve fuel-efficiency. The engine also features larger valves and a reworked air-box for better air induction.

Overall, the changes boost peak torque output to a high 10 Nm at a low 4,000 rpm.

The Edge also features changes to the chassis, including an increased wheelbase and a new box section swing arm for greater stability and better manoeuvrability, handling and ride. The Edge's wheelbase has been increased from 1,200mm to 1,240mm, and comes with gas filled shock absorber at the rear.

The other additions are optional alloy wheels and disc brakes, new dual tone side-panel stickers with five colour theme options, enhanced grip levers for better feel, and a slightly reworked switchgear that feels more sturdy and reliable.

The Edge is priced at Rs 40,990 (ex-showroom, Chennai).

TVS Star City

Along with the launch of the Victor Edge, TVS has unveiled a new version of the company's barebones, entry-level 100cc bike.

The Star ( spelt as StaR) had replaced TVS' long standing two-stroke entry-level bike series — the erstwhile Max 100 and Max 100R — last year.

After the launch of the Star Dlx, the slightly jazzed-up version of the basic stripped-down model, the TVS Star City, launched earlier this month, will now attempt to offer the entry-level biker who wants to continue to stick within the bounds of this segment, a bit more style and finish.

The Star City will target potential, fuel-efficiency conscious 100cc bike buyers who live in the city and will be willing to pay a marginally higher price for more features, and better looks and finish quality.

With that target audience, the bike is being offered with a new headlamp fairing and halogen bulb combo, simpler, easy-to-read instrumentation with a new blue backlight, push-cancel indicator switches, new spring shock absorbers with a hand-operated pre-load adjustment lever and a new sporty silencer and heat shield combo that feature the same diagonally chopped-off design that Yamaha first brought to the market.

Seat width on the Star City has also been increased slightly to improve ride comfort for long distance travel. The roller cam follower technology that TVS first adopted in the Centra has been inducted into the Star City for friction reduction and increased mileage.

The bike will also sport a new, more rigid, reinforced chassis frame and wider three-inch tyres at the rear for improved stability and road holding.

Dual tone colours are also being offered and TVS will soon launch a new advertising campaign for all its three new variants — Scooty Pep+, Victor Edge and the Star City.

The Star City is priced at Rs 33,990 (ex-showroom, Chennai).

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